What You Should Know About Visiting a Teeth Whitening Dentist

Barry LeJeune • Jun 15, 2020

You're one step closer to smiling with confidence again. Learn how to prepare and what to expect from your teeth whitening dentist.

Tooth discoloration is a part of life. Stains are caused by aging, food, wine, and smoking. Most people will experience different types of teeth stains during their lifetime. Don’t worry, you can erase teeth stains with professional tooth whitening at LeJeune Family Dentistry. 

Professional tooth whitening is a safe and common procedure that can boost the appearance of your smile and give you confidence. Professional teeth whitening is much easier than using an at-home whitening kit. 

Our teeth whitening dentist Dr. LeJeune can discuss your whitening options with you at your next appointment. Read this helpful guide to answer common questions associated with professional teeth whitening.

Can My Teeth Be Whitened? 

Yes, tooth stains can be easily treated with bleaching products, professional cleanings, or other cosmetic procedures. Dr. LeJeune can take a look at your teeth and discuss which is the best teeth whitening method for you during a consultation. 

Causes of Tooth Stains

Many different factors can cause tooth discoloration. There are two main types of tooth stains: extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains. 



Extrinsic tooth stains are above your enamel. These stains are caused by lifestyle choices much like tobacco use and consumption of red wine or other dark beverages like sodas. Inadequate brushing and infrequent dental visits can also lead to tooth stains. 


Most of these stains can be lightened and a good oral hygiene routine can help remove new stains before they set. 

Intrinsic tooth stains can be a natural result of aging. They can also be caused by fluoride in the water and mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine and cetyl pyridinium chloride. 


These stains are located below the enamel of your teeth and may not respond to bleaching products. Deep intrinsic stains can still be treated and may respond better to in-office treatments. 


If your tooth discoloration is significant we offer lots of cosmetic dentistry options that may get you better results. Dr. LeJeune can talk to you about your treatment options at a consultation at our Hampton Virginia office.

LeJeune Family Dentistry Offers Teeth Whitening

At LeJeune Family Dentistry we offer both in-office and take-home dentist teeth whitening services. Here are some of our options. 



Zoom! Laser Teeth Whitening - Zoom! is a safe and effective laser whitening system. We use Zoom! at our office to lighten your teeth several shades in just one office visit. Zoom! can lightning teeth up to ten shades lighter in just one hour. 

How does teeth whitening work? A bleach solution is applied to your teeth with a special tray. A laser then heats the solution activating oxygen molecules that remove the stains from your enamel. 


This process can erase pronounced tooth discoloration and extrinsic stains. If you want immediate results Zoom! laser whitening is perfect for you. It can also reduce sensitivity and irritation from the over-exposure of topical bleach products. 

Best of all it doesn’t leave any white stains on teeth. 


Take-Home Whitening Kits - If you do not need instant results or would prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort and privacy of your own home, we also offer take-home whitening kits. These kits are custom made just for you.

Each kit comes with a specially made tray that fits your teeth like a glove. This allows for consistent and complete whitening of your enamel.


Our teeth trays are molded to fit the shape of your mouth. One benefit of our custom trays is that they reduce tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. These take-home kits gradually lighten your teeth over four weeks. 

When worn daily these kits can lighten your teeth several shades whiter and work much better than kits you can buy at the drugstore. Our customized kits get great results for men and women who prefer to whiten their teeth at home. 

Take-home kits are a wonderful addition to a Zoom! Treatment. This way you can touch up your treatment at home whenever you feel the need.

Is Teeth Whitening Bad for My Teeth? 

Bleaching can cause temporary tooth and gum sensitivity, however, tooth whitening isn’t bad for your teeth. Some products are formulated with potassium nitrate and fluoride can reduce sensitivity and increase your enamel strength while you whiten. 



When you whiten your teeth with over-the-counter tooth whitening products, the bleaching solution often spills out onto your gums. This is what causes irritation and increased tooth sensitivity. 


This is not the case when you have your teeth professionally whitened at our Hampton, Virginia office. Dr. LeJeune, our teeth whitening dentist, only recommends treatments that are safe to use for your teeth.

How Can I Keep My Teeth White?

Our teeth whitening treatments are designed to be long-lasting. How you care for your teeth after the treatments will ultimately determine how long your results will last. 



It’s easy to maintain your bright white smile. You can keep your teeth beautiful and white by:

  • Not smoking, chewing, or using nicotine products
  • Brush your teeth after every meal
  • Drinking soda and sports drinks with a straw
  • Swishing your mouth with water after you eat
  • Reducing your intake of coffee, tea, and red wine
  • Reducing the number of dark foods you eat

How Much Can I Expect to Pay for Professional Teeth Whitening? 

Tooth whitening services at a dentist’s office can range from $500 to $1,000 or more depending on the services you need and the part of the country you live in. Teeth whitening cost for take-home kits is generally less expensive than in-office treatments.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take?

Our in-office procedures take around 60 minutes. Take-home customized whitening kits can take two to four weeks to see the final results. Both of these options can restore your beautiful white smile and lighten your teeth several shades lighter. 


We recommend coming in for a consultation with Dr. LeJeune to talk about your expectations so we can choose the best procedure for you. 

Contact Dr. LeJeune Our Teeth Whitening Dentist

If you are searching for an experienced Hampton, Virginia teeth whitening dentist you can trust, give us a call at (757) 827-9114, or book an appointment online. Dr. LeJeune is skilled, caring, and serves the Hampton, Virginia area. 

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